reading
IPA: /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the activity of looking at and understanding written words
English vocabulary by topic
Hobbies and interests in English
Words and patterns for talking naturally about the activities you enjoy in your free time.
Go to the wordsTalking about your hobbies
Reading, drawing, painting and photography cover creative interests; gardening, cooking and knitting involve making or caring for things; dancing, fishing, travelling and gaming describe active or relaxing ways to spend free time.
An -ing form is natural after like, love and enjoy: I enjoy reading. Music needs its own verb: listen to music or play music. Add every weekend, in the evenings or whenever I have time to explain how often you do an activity.
Vocabulary
Words in this topic
Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.
-
-
music
IPA: /ˈmjuːzɪk/
sounds arranged in a way that is pleasant or expressive
-
drawing
IPA: /ˈdrɔːɪŋ/
the activity of making pictures with a pencil or pen
-
painting
IPA: /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
the activity of making pictures with paint
-
gardening
IPA: /ˈɡɑːdənɪŋ/
the activity of growing and caring for plants
-
photography
IPA: /fəˈtɒɡrəfɪ/
the activity or skill of taking photographs
-
cooking
IPA: /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the activity of preparing food
-
dancing
IPA: /ˈdɑːnsɪŋ/
the activity of moving your body to music
-
fishing
IPA: /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the activity of catching fish
-
travelling
IPA: /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the activity of visiting or moving between places
-
knitting
IPA: /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making clothes or fabric from yarn
-
gaming
IPA: /ˈɡeɪmɪŋ/
the activity of playing video games
01
How to remember these words
- Choose three hobbies you have and write a sentence about each one.
- Group the activities by place: at home, outdoors and while travelling.
- Add a frequency phrase such as often, sometimes or at weekends.
02
Useful phrases
I enjoy reading in the evening.
Photography is my favourite hobby.
We often go fishing at weekends.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Which form follows like and enjoy?
Enjoy must be followed by an -ing form: I enjoy cooking. Like can take either like cooking or like to cook; the -ing form is especially natural when discussing hobbies.
How do I say that music is my hobby?
Use listen to music for enjoying recorded or live music. Play music can mean performing it or making it play, depending on context.
What is the difference between a hobby and a pastime?
A hobby is a regular activity that receives your time and interest. A pastime is any pleasant way of spending free time.
Continue in Mnemonic Words
Words stick when you come back to them
Add words from “Hobbies” to the app and review them in small moments — at home, on the go or whenever you have a minute.
- Add only the words you want to learn
- Listen and say them out loud
- Review at a pace that suits you
Get Mnemonic Words
From the Mnemonic Words team
GoNative
Another language, whenever you’re ready
With GoNative, you can build a vocabulary list of your own and make steady progress at a pace that feels right.
German · French · Italian · Spanish · Portuguese · Polish
Try GoNative
Available for iPhone and Android